NBA KNUCKLEHEADS
May 8, 2009 by R.C. Cola
A few players must have taken that memo about stepping up the intensity for the playoffs a bit too seriously.
What’s with all the roughhousing this year? It’s become brawlball, not basketball. From Dwight Howard’s elbows to the Rafer Alston’s mind-numbingly stupid slap upside Eddie House’s head, there’s been a noticeable spike in violence this year. I’m all for playing aggressively, and getting a little physical, but a line has to be drawn. Given the suspensions being doled out at a rapid clip, there are consequences that go beyond that one player. With the intensity of some of these playoffs, a missing key player could mean the difference between moving on to the next round or going fishing.
Howard really kicked things off, as he laid into the Philadelphia 76ers’ Samuel Dalembert with a vicious elbow to the head. He was suspended in Game 6 of the first round, although his team ultimately prevailed. But the Defensive Player of the Year didn’t stop there. Another elbow put teammate Courtney Lee out of commission for the playoffs. Then there was the near-fight that erupted between Kirk Heinrich and Rajon Rondo in a heated and epic series between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics.
Now that they’re in the second round, the stakes are even higher. With the series tied at 1-1, missing a key player is unthinkable. Which makes it even more ridiculous that Alston would slap House’s head - playful or not - during a heated Game 2. It may not have been malicious, but it definitely wasn’t welcome. Perhaps Alston was just bringing back the streetball vibe from his And 1 days. Note to Alston: you’re not on the streets any more, and it’s time to act like it.
Derek Fisher followed Alston’s move on Wednesday by stiffening up and ramming his body into Luis Scola, who tried to set a screen for his fellow Houston Rocket teammate. Fisher has often played the role of enforcer, and was standing up for some of his younger teammates with the play. Still, losing a wily veteran as the Los Angeles Lakers open up Game 3 in Houston could be costly.
Then there’s Kobe Bryant. His jawing, elbowing, and slapping has gotten into Ron Artest’s head; so much so that Artest felt the need to run up to Bryant and tell him to back off. He got an ejection for his trouble. While neither player got a suspension, it’s still a hotbed of activity, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more drama as the series escalates.
While Fisher’s stiff hit likely sparked his team, ultimately it’s a stupid move. Beyond the suspension, these actions give David Stern and his own enforcer, Stu Jackson, license to control games. The playoffs should be decided on the courts, not in the corporate offices in Manhattan. The powers that be don’t need much of an excuse to lay down their brand of justice, making it even more insane that some of these players go braindead and risk their bodies - and their team’s playoff hopes - with a vicious hit.
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